the president spoke in the white house briefing room just about an hour ago now. he was visibly tense. frustration in his voice. >> america wonders why it is in this town for some reason you can't get stuff done in an organized timetable. why everything always has to wait until the last minute. well, we are now at the last minute. and the american people are not going to have any patience for a politically self-inflicted wound to our economy. >> harris: if congress cannot work out a deal, tax hikes, spending cuts will take effect on tuesday of next week. president obama says he is willing to give congress a little time to come up with a compromise but his patience is limited well as is the rest of the country's. ed henry with the news live at the white house. ed, first, a dramatic meeting earlier today at the white house. and then this ultimatum from the president. >> that's right, harris. it was a dramatic exchange. what i'm told by a senior white house official is that the president basically told john boehner and mitch mcconnell the republican leaders in the ro